Russia to counteract NATO's boosted presence in Black Sea – envoy

Moscow is being forced to come up with countermeasures in response to NATO's increased presence in the Black Sea, Russia’s envoy to the alliance said following an announcement on the arrival of another US warship in the area.

“Unfortunately, the Black Sea is becoming a place where
non-regional powers have a permanent presence. What they are
doing there is unclear,” Aleksandr Grushko said.

“Of course, we will take the necessary countermeasures,”
he continued.

Grushko also criticized the North Atlantic Alliance for
stationing high alert forces near Russia's borders by holding
frequent military drills with counties including Poland and the
Baltic states.

Russia’s new military doctrine, adopted on December 26, stresses
that the country’s army remains a defensive tool, but lists
NATO's military buildup and the United States' Prompt Global
Strike concept as main security threats.

The USS Donald Cook is scheduled to boost NATO's fleet in the
Black Sea on Friday.

“Donald Cook's presence in the Black Sea is meant to reassure
and at the same time demonstrate our commitment to work closely
with NATO allies in order to enhance maritime security,"
Cmdr. Charles Hampton, the ship's commanding officer, said in a
statement.

This is the second time the USS Donald Cook has entered the Black
Sea since the start of the Ukraine crisis which began in spring
2014.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer was previously
stationed in the area in April.

NATO sent additional ships to the Black Sea after Russia’s
reunification with the Republic of Crimea in March.

The USS Vella Gulf, USS Ross, USS Truxton, and the USS Taylor –
as well as warships from other NATO member states – were spotted
in the area.

In July, NATO deployed a total of nine vessels to the Back Sea,
setting a record in the post-Soviet period.

Despite the Montreux Convention of 1936 allowing warships of
non-Black Sea states to stay in the area for no more than 21
days, the alliance has managed to secure its presence by
constantly rotating vessels.